Africa-Press – Seychelles. World Health Organization (WHO) Small Island Developing States (SIDS) health ministers from the African region are meeting in Seychelles to discuss their progress in achieving the goals of sustainable development (SDG), preparation for the next pandemic, climate and health.
The conference is also an opportunity for SIDS to examine ways to better serve their populations in their respective areas.
Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan opened the event by saying: “The vagaries of climate change and health, the frantic efforts to achieve universal health coverage, the imperatives of pandemic preparedness and response, the vortex of drug addiction, the stubborn rise of the obesity pandemic and its consequences on our populations and our health systems as well as a range of other critical health challenges require us to speak with one voice, more than ever.
Mr. Ramkalawan said delegates cannot leave this meeting without addressing the future directions of this dynamic movement aimed at improving the health and well-being of the population of Africa’s SIDS.
He added that an assessment of the possibilities of establishing a permanent health sector secretariat for SIDS should be considered.
Organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), the meeting takes place from March 25 to 27.
In her address to conference participants, outgoing SIDS President Filomena Gonçalves of Cape Verde said the meeting “is a testimony to our unity and determination to overcome the common challenges we face, including the sustainable development and the climate emergency that threatens our survival.”
Among the challenges facing SIDS are limited resources, vulnerability to natural disasters and vulnerability to external shocks.
As part of efforts to work together for the good of the respective populations, Ms. Gonçalves explained that they have adopted common strategies “to overcome these challenges, including the 2019 initiative for the joint purchase of medicines and of vaccines, improving access, quality and reducing costs.
Seychelles Health Minister Peggy Vidot told reporters: “As a small island state, the amount of medicines we need tends to be less than larger countries, which means suppliers are sometimes reluctant to send us the small quantities we need. ”
Ms. Vidot added that the idea of SIDS pooling resources to buy medicines “makes things easier, because we then share them among ourselves, and it’s also better because the more we buy together, the more prices are falling.”
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